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Mission Statement

Preserve and nurture the visual and performing arts.

Description

Acclaimed as the "Dean of Western Art", Olaf Wieghorst's life is a wonderful example of the "melting pot" that these United States have always been. There are few other contemporary artists that have been so successful in expressing the ethnically diverse and multicultural West as he has. His life as a child acrobat in Denmark, member of the U.S. 5th Cavalry and member of New York City Mounted Police added to his life experiences. It was these experiences that added authenticity to his work and his passion for the life of the West that enhanced his ability to create and express on canvas, on film and in his sculpting. He is the epitome of the "American legacy". The Wieghorst Museum Foundation nurtures the western heritage that belongs to peoples from many cultures. The museum is a celebration of diversity and a learning experience of cultural interdependence and tolerance. The museum provides interactive educational programs for pre-school, primary, secondary and post secondary students, Lifelong learning endeavors and Senior Citizen programs. Scholarships and grants for the visual and performing arts, cultural, folk, music performances/demonstrations, dancing, arts and crafts. We conduct celebrations and exhibits during designated cultural heritage appreciation periods, provide educational classes including: painting, drawing/sketching, wood carving, metalworking, pottery, weaving, textiles and sculpting. The Museum is located in El Cajon, CA, within San Diego East County. This is a perfect environment for this scope and scale of cultural heritage center. The city of El Cajon, and other adjoining cities in East County, are very culturally diverse communities (Appendix #3). The Museum and Heritage Center are a cornerstone in the redevelopment project of Main Street and downtown El Cajon. This is an area recognized as being "blighted" by Housing and Urban Development with a poverty rate of 10% and a minority rate of 24%. The programs we offer expand opportunities, promote community involvement and assist in the economic development of a depressed area.